About Our Firm
Gather Financial Planning is an SEC registered investment advisor domiciled in the State of Maine. In
addition to our 2012 formation and licensing in Maine, our firm and its associates may also register or
meet certain exemptions to registration in other jurisdictions in which we conduct advisory business.
Michael C. Goldman, CFP®, Abigail T. Morton, CFP®, and Elizabeth A. Williams are partners of the firm.
Michael C. Goldman is majority owner. Ms. Morton serves as Chief Compliance Officer. Ms. Williams is
Client Care Manager. Additional information about Mr. Goldman, Ms. Morton, Ms. Williams, their
backgrounds, and professional designations may be found toward the end of the brochure.1
An important aspect to the firm’s advisory effort is providing “non-securities advice,” such as issues
involving expense budgeting and savings, education, insurance, charitable and estate planning, and real
estate, among others. The firm’s advisory activities also include providing continuous supervision and
consultation with respect to the investment of client assets, as well as periodic consultation and advice
with respect to securities that do not involve ongoing supervision of an account. As of December 31,
2022, our firm had $118,786,293 of client assets under its management2 on a discretionary basis
(defined in Item 16).
Wrap Fee Program
Gather Financial Planning offers continuous asset management exclusively through its self-sponsored
wrap fee investment program. This program provides account monitoring, rebalancing of funds,
performance reporting and other advisory services, as well as trade execution and Internet access to
your account for a “wrapped” fee. The firm may engage the services of a sub-advisor and/or
periodically utilize internal personnel to serve as portfolio manager. If you would like more information
regarding program details, associated fees and costs, account requirements (including recommended
minimum account sizes), we are required to provide you with a copy of our separate wrap fee
investment program brochure upon request.
Getting Started
A complimentary interview is conducted by a representative of our firm to determine the scope of
services to be provided. Prior to beginning one of our programs, you will be provided with our current
Form ADV Part 2A firm brochure that includes our privacy policy statement (see Item 11), and you will
also receive a Form ADV Part 2B brochure supplement about the representative who will be assisting
you. Gather Financial Planning will ensure material conflicts of interest are disclosed regarding the firm
and its associates that might reasonably be expected to impair the rendering of unbiased and objective
advice.
Should you wish to engage our firm for its services, we must enter into a written agreement with you
and, thereafter, further discussion and analysis is conducted to determine your financial need, goals,
holdings, etc. Depending on the scope of the engagement, we may also require current copies of the
following documents early in the process:
1 In keeping with the General Instructions for Part 2 of Form ADV, the firm provides requisite principal executive/advisory
personnel information within the accompanying brochure supplement that might otherwise be found in detail in Item 19.
2 Term “assets under management” and rounding per the General Instructions for Part 2 of Form ADV.
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• Wills, codicils and trusts
• Insurance policies
• Mortgage information
• Tax returns
• Current financial specifics including W2's or 1099s
• Information on current retirement plans and benefits provided by your employer
• Statements reflecting current investments in retirement and non-retirement accounts
• Completed risk profile questionnaires
or other forms provided by our firm
It is important that the information and financial statements you provide are accurate. We may, but are
not obligated to, verify the information you have provided which will then be used in the financial
planning or investment advisory process.
Financial Planning Services
Gatherful® Plan
Our holistic planning process is tailored to your needs. Work collaboratively with a CFP® professional
through 4 sessions to craft your plan. The actual number of sessions needed to complete your plan may
be adjusted depending on the complexity involved and the client’s decision of whether or not to engage
in an ongoing service with Gather Financial Planning.
Our sessions walk you through the entire process and help guide you toward your goals while taking the
mystery out of personal finance. You'll learn through the process and receive a detailed plan that
addresses the critical financial questions you are facing at this stage of your life journey. Together we
will figure out where you want to go and build a custom action plan to get you there.
Gatherful® Coach
After working with our team on your Gatherful® Plan, we offer ongoing financial planning and
investment management services as part of our Gatherful® Coach program. Ongoing financial planning
services ensure that your plan is updated at least annually and that your ongoing financial questions,
needs, and strategies are addressed in light of your financial goals. This service is offered only in
conjunction with ongoing management of investments by Gather Financial Planning. Management of
your first $500,000 of investments is included in the Gatherful® Coach financial planning fee. Additional
details about our Gatherful® Coach investment management program can be found in our separate
wrap fee investment program brochure, which is available upon request.
As-Needed Financial Advice
For clients needing assistance with specific financial topics and for our returning clients who need a
routine review or a consultation for a special topic. As-needed financial advice is offered on an hourly
basis or for a flat fee based on our hourly rate.
Educational Workshops
We offer periodic financial coaching for those desiring general advice on personal finance and investing.
Topics may include issues related to financial planning, college funding, estate planning, retirement
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strategies, or various other economic and investment topics. Workshops may be provided by an
associate of our firm during in-person events, online or in coordination with another regional advisory
firm. Sessions are educational in nature and do not involve the sale of insurance or investment
products. Information presented will not be based on any one person’s need nor do we provide
individualized investment advice to attendees during general sessions.
Client-Tailored Services and Client-Imposed Restrictions
In all instances, you will retain full discretion over all implementation decisions and you are free to
accept or reject any recommendation we make. It will remain your responsibility to promptly notify us if
there is any change in your financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of our
reviewing, evaluating, or revising previous recommendations and/or services.
Unless you have engaged our financial planning services on an ongoing basis, our agreement is typically
concluded upon our delivery of our advice or plan or at the end of your service term. We recommend a
check-up with us at least annually or whenever your circumstances significantly change.
You may also choose to engage our firm to manage your investment portfolio. This service is provided
under a separate engagement and should be considered following your review of our wrap fee
investment program brochure.